Mike the reason we were not allowed to use chemicals is because immediately below the deck are dog kennels and she didn't want any chemicals to go there. This is an animal santctuary. We were originally going to attach a tarp to the underside of the deck but after close examination we felt that we can get by with just using laundry soap (generic) and water then diluting the soapy water when done. Almost all the existing sealer came off. The areas where it didn't come off we sanded. The wood in several places were time worn (dried out). She did not want to go to the expense of replacing those boards. It got up to about 84 degrees with high humidity that day though we were done before it got that hot.As I explained she was on a well so we had to wash the deck in stages for fear that she would run out of water or put the level too low.
The boards that were weather worn are some but not all the boards that look like they could use a second coat. As I explained we hand brushed the whole deck so we gave ample sealer everywhere.
The white film is puzzling because it appeared within two days of finishing. I usually use Wolman F & P and I have not had this problem with their product. But then again I am not sure it is a product problem. We did not neutrilize because with the exception of soap we did not use anything but water and sealer.
By the way the five gallon bucket we poured the sealer into was brand new so it had no prior ingrediants in it.
I hope this helps you understand my situation a little better.